SHAPE-UP and WAKE-UP


Reflection
The voice thread is a fun tool to use in the classroom. It is another way to encourage students to be excited about their writing and publishing because it offers something new. Instead of just making a final draft, the student gets to create pictures and voices for the characters they have made in their mind. While the voice thread is a good way to have students interact with technology, it seems a bit outdated. I think that the site could be laid out in aless confusing format. And directions or tutorials on how to make voice threads should be clearer. I at first was confused at how to work the voice thread. If I use it in my classroom, I will definitely make my own step-by-step directions for my students to follow. There are always some children who do not even need directions and will be able to make an incredible voice thread on their own, while there will be others who struggle through the directions you give them. Both types will enjoy using it though. I enjoyed using the voice thread and making my story come to life.




Erin Francis:



Matter Matters!
EDUC 355


Reflection:
Before this project, I never even knew that VoiceThread existed. However, I definitely enjoyed learning how to use the program. I think that this will be helpful in the future because classrooms are changing due to new technology and this is a great way for students to create a story but incorporate the new technology. Many children do not get excited when they learn they have to write a paper, even if it is a creative one like an imaginative narrative or a fractured fairytale. Allowing the students to use a program like VoiceThread can help get them interested in the project which would produce results that are more imaginative, more on topic, and better written. Since I want to teach elementary, I think that my students will love to show off their writing in the form of a video. Even the process of writing, illustrating, and recording their own voices for the story will get them excited about writing and creating the project. I know when I was in elementary school that I would have loved this project! I’m really glad that I was able to complete this project so that I can use it in my future classes.